Thursday, January 1, 2009

Avoid Winter Harm to Your Skin - Naturally

By Marilyn Etzel

Winter brings cold temperatures when it comes. It can also provide us with glistening white snows for sledding and skiing. But, winter weather can dry the skin and damage it if we are not careful. Learn methods for keeping this from happening without resorting to chemicals.

It is not uncommon for skin to appear dry, red, and itchy during the winter months. Our skin lacks moisture do to the drying conditions of winter. Layering clothing doesnt stop the dryness from occurring. Moisturizing our skin is the key.

1. Hydrate with water"Drinking water gives our bodies an internal shower. The more moisture we take in, the better our skin will look. It will also resist drying when we sweat. Our skin is also an organ that needs moisture to stay healthy.

2. Moisturize at night"Even if we put on lotions or creams during the day, we might forget to do so at night. We cover up to stay warm, but that is not enough. Activities throughout the day deplete the moisture in the skin and not moisturizing at night continues the process. Cover your skin with a layer of moisturizing lotion before bed. To keep feet from getting dry and cracked, massage them with a natural salve or balm and cover them with socks.

3. Dont go outside without sunscreen"The glare of the sun on the snow can cause sunburn even if you dont feel hot. Without a protectant, the radiation penetrates deep into the skin and can cause damage that ruin our skin and put us at risk for skin cancers. Prevent dryness and skin damage with zinc and other moisturizers with sunscreen.

4. Use a humidifier"The air in winter can be very dry. Even in the house, the heat can have a drying effect on the skin and the nasal passages. To add bits of moisture to the air invest in a humidifier. There are two types: warm and cool mist. A cool mist humidifier adds moisture to the air but lowers the temperature a few degrees for comfort.

5. Exfoliate your skin"This can be accomplished with skin creams that contain microbeads, a sugar scrub, or by using a loofah sponge. Using gently circular motions, the exfoliant removes dead skin from our body. A weekly scrub allows healthy skin cells to absorb the moisturizers better and the skin can maintain a healthy level of moisture.

6. Lukewarm showers"Taking a shower at cooler temperatures keeps pores closed so they dont lose moisture. Shorter showers prevent skin dryness. Rinse off quickly after lathering up to keep skin soft. Apply a moisturizing lotion after toweling off.

Winter winds can wreak havoc with our skin and leave us irritated. Learn to protect your skin by adding these simple steps to your daily routine. - 15275

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